Marvel Comics Final Thoughts – Black Panther (2005), Vol. 3-4

Thanks to Marvel’s popular and successful foray into films with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I’ve finally decided to get back into comics. I grew up a big fan of X-Men and other superheroes but haven’t really kept up since the 90s. Thus begins my grand catching-up of the last ten years of Marvel comics, events and stories.

Thanks in large part to trade paperbacks and the digital convenience of Marvel Unlimited I can make relatively quick progress, and I’ll write down my Final Thoughts for each collection here on my blog. Like my gaming Final Thoughts, this will be full of spoilers. You’ve been warned!

Writer: Reginald Hudlin

Artists: Scott Eaton, Manuel Garcia, Koi Turn bull

Issues:Black Panther (2005) #14-25

When I first heard that Storm had wed Black Panther I rolled my eyes. It all seemed just a bit too convenient – the only two notable African superheroes in Marveldom fall in love and get married? I’m glad I started reading Black Panther (2005) and noticed a steady improvement in the dozen issues I’d read so far, otherwise I might not have experienced one of the most touching and poignant stories of a love rekindled I’d ever read.

The impetus for Black Panther’s previous arc was to go out and find a wife (which is, uh, also the plot hook of The Santa Clause 2), and in “Bride of the Panther” he realizes his heart never left Storm’s. Their past is detailed further in a harmless retcon exploring the exploits of young lovers T’Challa and Ororo in the six-issue Storm (2006) mini-series, but even without the extra reading Reginald Hudlin does an excellent job conveying their complicated past and their feelings for each other (Storm’s adventures in Africa are detailed in Uncanny X-Men Annual #1, which is like Black Hawk Down with X-Men – awesome). I am a bit bummed that this effectively writes Storm out of the X-Men, but she’s been generally absent anyway, and frankly seems above many of the petty squabbles those teams find themselves embroiled in.

The five issue story lovingly takes its time rekindling their relationship. They fight about when they were young and dumb and Ororo’s answer to The Question is interrupted by some silly and fun comic book fights. Storm’s past relationships with Wolverine and Forge are acknowledged and addressed and Hudlin seems to have a firm grasp on Marvel continuity. Storm is even reunited with her lost grandparents (and nephew) in another touching moment. Oh and Luke Cage throws a bachelor party with Namor, Logan, The Thing and a bunch of strippers in Rio. T’challa, ever the honorable gentlemen, promptly excuses himself at the beginning to fly back into Ororo’s arms. D’awwww.

Eventually Ororo accepts (and Hudlin pulls off an honest-to-god funny mile high club joke) and she’s treated to a whirlwind of activities that’s associated with becoming Queen of a country, including a jealous neighboring African princess, shopping with fellow X-ladies and dealing with the fairly xenophobic, isolationist people of Wakanda. T’Challa and Storm get equal screen time and while there’s no real threat of danger nor villain, it’s a surprisingly fun and sweet storyline.

Unfortunately for our newlyweds, Civil Warhits around the same time. Tony Stark and Steve Rogers are both invited to the wedding and both leave when they see each other, and the next two story arcs are tied into the ongoing Civil War event.

“World Tour” takes our new power couple to various diplomatic meetings around the world (and beyond) as they visit Dr. Doom in Latveria, Namor in Atlantis and even the Inhumans on the moon. Their last meeting takes them to America where they try and discuss the Superhuman Registration Act, but when they try to make Storm register (as she’s American) things go South and Iron Man and Black Panther end up having a scrape.

Tensions are diffused when Black Panther ends up saving James Rhodes’ life but T’Challa and Ororo agree to stay in the U.S. to try and deal with the upcoming war. Given how big of an asshole Stark is it takes about two seconds for our heroes to side with Captain America, first unofficially and then getting directly involved and instrumental in helping the rebels in the final battle.

In fact, issue #25 takes place directly during the events of the final issue of Civil War, including a different fight scene from the final battle – Storm vs Thor clone! It ties in nicely to the Civil War continuity by adding some fun extra scenes, but it’s definitely not required reading, and I felt the globe-trotting “World Tour” issues were a bit more fun than the latter “Foreign Affairs” direct Civil War tie-ins.

Hudlin’s improved immensely as a writer and I have a keen grasp on who T’Challa is. Scott Eaton’s artwork is also fantastic (Storm has never looked sexier and T’Challa is chiseled from pure obsidian) but unfortunately he drops out during the Civil War tie-ins in issue #20. Manuel Garcia does a fine job but the art takes a noticeable nose dive with the last two issues as a third artist is brought in.

I’d never thought a storyline about two superheroes getting married and dealing with the political ramifications would become one of my favorites, and I hope that T’Challa’s and Ororo’s loving relationship continues to be highlighted and strengthened throughout their adventures.